Rock Parish Council

Rock, situated in the western part of the District, is the largest parish (14 square miles in area) and is said to be the second largest parish in England. It has a boundary of over 20 miles stretching from the Shropshire border at Dowles Brook in the north for some five miles to the Clows Top-Great Witley Road, and to the Abberley-Dunley Road in the South.

Much of the Wyre Forest lies within the parish, as does the Forestry Commission's Visitor Centre, situated on the A456 at Longbank, a short distance from the boundary with Bewdley. An interesting guidebook, showing paths and points of interest, can be purchased from the Centre. Parts of the Forest are a National Nature Reserves, and the voluntary Wyre Forest Society is dedicated to preserving the flora and fauna of the area together with its amenities, industries and activities. Forestry activities include felling of timber for uses that range from pit props to garden furniture. The parish name of Rock is said to have originated from the old spelling of the word ‘oak' the forest once consisting mainly of this tree. Today a wider variety of species can be seen, both broadleaf and coniferous.

Much of the parish is over 500 feet above sea level, and a very small portion near Clows Top is over 700 feet. From many parts of Rock there are extensive views. From most of the parish the Clee Hills, which rise to almost 1,800 feet, are visible, whilst the Wrekin may be seen to the north, the Malvern Hills to the south, and the Clent Hills to the east. On a fairly clear day Worcester Cathedral can be seen, together with a view of Bredon Hill extending right across the Vale of Evesham, whilst nearer at hand is the beautiful valley of the River Teme, a tributary of the River Severn.

As would be expected in a landscape so varied, the range of rural activities in the parish is also very wide. Farming of almost every kind is practised, and there are many orchards and soft fruit producers. Parts of the parish have long been known as the home of fine cherries. There is an active sawmill, and other firms which specialise in timber products are scattered through the parish.